Plug button assembly



Filed NOV. 15, 1957 FICH.

INVENTOR: PH\\ \P D. BECKER,

PLUG BUTTON ASSEMBLY Philip D. Becker, Hingham, Mass., assignor to United- Carr Fastener Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Application November 1s, 1957, 'sei-iai No. 696,645

4 claims. (ci. 40-20) This invention relates to a plug button assembly and like closures for apertured members vand aims generally to improve existing devices of this type.

In the marine industry and industrial tractor and trucks, there has developed a vneed for decorative closures for the center of the boat steering wheels. The standard closures that are inV everyday use have proved to be expensive to manufacture and tool as separate dies and stamps have to be made for different designs.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a plug button assembly for insertion in an apertured support having an annular ratchet plate formed integral with the plug button for retention of a plastic cap having interchangeable designs formed thereon.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a two piece plastic insert adapted for snap engagement with the plug button.

A further object of this invention is to provide a plug button assembly in which a variety of designs may be incorporated between a two piece plastic insert adapted to be attached to the plug button.

Other objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious, and will, in part, appear hereinafter.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a bottom plan view of the closure assembly;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l showing the closure in assembly;

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the component parts of the closure disassembled;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the plastic cap;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view in section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated a closure assembly l0, preferably of three part construction, comprising a plug button 12, a plastic cap 14 and a retainer y 16 adapted for snap engagement with an apertured support 18.

The plug button 12 comprises a base portion 20 having a central aperture 22 formed therein with a peripheral rim 24 surrounding the aperture. The outer edge of the rim 24 is bent back upon itself forming an annular inner rim 26 having outwardly extending resilient segments 28 substantially perpendicular thereto so as to collectively form a series of snap fastener members for engaging the wall 30 of the apertured support 18. The terminal ends 32 of the segments 28 are bent inwardly to facilitate snap engagement with the wall 30. A series of substantially circular openings 34 are formed adjacent the aperture 22 and connected thereto forming a series of inwardly extending arms 36 which are bent downwardly from the plane of the base portion for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

As shown in Fig. 4, the cap 14 is formed of a transparent plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride or acrylic resin and comprises a anged head portion 38 extending radially from one end having a dome 40 on one lateral surface and downwardly extending wall portions 42 on the opposed lateral surface. A circumferential groove 44 as shown in theenlarged illustration of Fig. 5, is formed on the interior 46 of the wall portion and spaced from the dome 40 to provide a pocket 48 adapted to retain therein any suitable ornamental material 49.

To complete the assembly, a circular retainer means 16 is provided preferably formed of a resilient plastic having a diameter slightly greater than `the distance between the interior. of the wall portions 46 and having edge portions 50 adapted to cooperate with 4circumferential groove 44. To assemble the closure, decorative material 49 is placed within the pocket 48 of the cap 14, the circular retainer 16 isthen snapped into engagement with the circumferential groove 44 completely sealing the decorative material within the pocket 48. The plastic cap 14 is inserted into the central aperture 22 with the arm 36 entering into biting engagement with the wall portions 42 preventing withdrawal. The entire closure assembly is then snapped into engagement with the apertured support v18 with the outwardly extending resilient segments 28 tiexing inward providing snap fastener engagement with the support. f

It is a matter of preference whether the printed material is inserted into the pocket 48 or suitable designs stamped, or impressed on the under side of the domed plastic cap 14 or on the retainer 16. By having the decoration enclosed within the cap 14 and the retainer `16, they are protected against dislodgment and discoloration due to adverse atmospheric conditions.

Since certain obvious modications may be made inv this device without departing from the scope 0f the invention, it is intended that all matters contained herein be interpreted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A plug button assembly or closure adapted for attachment to an apertured support comprising in combination, an attaching member having a resilient portion extending substantially perpendicular thereto, said attaching member having a centrally apertured base portion, gripping arms connected to the base and inclined downwardly out of the plane of said base at thel central aperture, a resilient plastic cap assembled with said attaching member and having a wall portion inserted through the central aperture and gripped by said arms, said cap comprising a anged head portion and the said wall portion, and a retainer means snapped into engagement with said wall portion.

2. A plug button assembly or closure adapted for attachment to anapertured support comprising in combination, an attaching member having a resilient portion extending substantially perpendicular thereto, said attaching member having a centrally apertured base portion 4with a series of openings disposed about the aperture and connected therewith forming a series of inwardly extending arms, said arms being connected to the base and extending downwardly out of the plane of said base, a resilient plastic cap adapted for insertion within said aperture comprising a flanged head portion with a wall portion extending downward from one lateral surface, said` wall portion having a circumferential groove formed on the inner surface, a resilient plastic retainer means having edgev portions snapped into engagement with said groove.

3. A closure assembly comprising-in combination, a

' plug button, a cap ladapted for frictional engagement with said plug button, and a retainer means, said plug button comprising a one piece apertured `plate with a peripheral rim, arms formed integral with said rim and eX- tending substantially perpendicular thereto, the terminal portions of said arms being inclined downwardly, a series of openings disposed about the aperture and connected thereto forming a series of inwardly extending arms, said arms being connected to and inclined downwardly out of the plane of said plate, a plastic cap comprising a head Patented Feb. 3, 1959 4'.' A unsure as'semmy comprising-iulcomemation' an" ape'rturd platee' resilientcap adapted for fri'cfion'al in; serforf'witlinthe apertue of said plateand lensmeans" sealing" said"cap,' said ap'er'tured plate havingesilient' ngers" extendingsubstantially perpendicular to` aI rim' p'ortion" for snap'A engagement with an apertured support, ratchet"`rn`ean's formedintegral with'sai'd plate adjacent the aperturehaving arins inclined downwardly from the planey off'sfa'id plate; a res'ilie'nt plastic c`a`p`havin'gl a' domed a'nge' at"o`n'e"'end, a' hollow shank portion' extending frornthe other end of the ange having a circumferential groove formed' on' an` inner wall and spaced from said ange; said shank portion having an outer wall adapted for engagement with the ratchet means surrounding said plate aperture, a plastic retainer means radially cooperating with said groove to form an enclosed area between the retainer and said ange foirthel purposes described.

References -Cit'e'd in the le of this patent UNITED STATESy PATENTS 2,167,660 Lauv`e` Aug. 1, 1939 2,168,223 Lauve Aug. 1, 1939 2,239,228` -Warne`r -...f". July 7, 1942 

